World TB day observed
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—Like other part of the world, the World TB Day was observed around the country on Monday.
The day aimed towards mobilizing support to fight against the fatal disease of TB. The Government of Pakistan is committed to focus on mobilizing communities, raising awareness, encouraging Provincial/Para government agencies and donors to invest in TB control at priority on National and Global agenda.
The celebrations were through organizing seminars, walks, workshops and rallies with the involvement of people belonging to all walks of life across the country.
The slogan for World TB Day this year was I am stopping TB. This year was particular; the events globally aimed towards mobilizing the resources to support the fight against this disease through community initiatives, raising awareness to be a part of the Stop TB Strategy, and encouraging the governments and donors to invest in TB control.
People across the country participated wholeheartedly in this noble endeavor and played their part in eliminating TB. Pakistan is 8th among the 22 high burden countries with incidence of 177 per 100,000 population for all types of tuberculosis.
The disease takes a share of 5.1 percent of the total national disease burden. The National TB Control Programme with its provincial departments in all four provinces, AJ&K and Northern Areas ensures free diagnosis and treatment facilities at all public health centers.
There are more than 5000 diagnostic and treatment facilities functioning throughout the country. In 2006 Pakistan contributed 55% of the total number of detected cases in the region indicating that TB control activities are well placed in the country. The National TB Control Programme was revived in year 2000 to make operational DOTS Strategy in the country. Since then, in excess of 798, 222 patients have been registered for treatment, out of which 85 percent successfully completed their treatment.
The Programme has been praised for its progress in recent reviews conducted by external TB experts and international donors. The DOTS programme to treat the disease has been a landmark as it opened new vistas for the patient and doctor alike.
Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization has been used successfully to address the key challenges faced in the fight against TB. For this year World TB Day celebrations the National TB Control Programme organized a number of advocacy and communication activities.
People from all over the country joined the international community in its revels. All the identified activities took place both at the National & Provincial Level. NTP organized an advocacy seminar to engage both the print and electronic media in raising awareness regarding tuberculosis.
Secretary Health was requested to be the Guest of Honor for this event, while messages and comments on the day were made by the different representatives from various stakeholders.
This provided an opportunity to discuss various important issues including cure of the disease, free diagnosis, treatment, medication, accessibility (100% DOTS coverage) and stigma.